Godwine (merchant)

Godwine was an Anglo-Saxon merchant during the 9th century. In 884, the Viking leader Erik Thurgilsson had Godwine sneak him up the River Thames on his merchant ship, taking him to Coccham, where Godwine had to deliver axeheads to the local lord, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Godwine delivered the axeheads and told Uhtred that Erik wished to speak with him, and Uhtred had Finan the Agile prepare to burn Godwine's boat if anything happened, frightening Godwine, who valued his boat. Ultimately, Uhtred allowed for Erik to pass through his lands to consult the "undead" seer Bjorn, and Godwine kept his boat and moved on.